Unclassified American intelligence assessments have nevertheless suggested that Iran “likely aims” to pursue further chemical weapons research and development.
By Shula Rosen
A senior Israeli official on Wednesday rejected suggestions that Iran currently poses a chemical weapons threat to Israel, responding to a New York Times report alleging that Tehran is developing methods to deliver chemical agents and that Israeli intelligence had alerted Washington to the danger.
“At this point in time, Iran possesses no chemical capability that poses a threat to the State of Israel. We are monitoring the threat, and should the need arise, we will know how to take action and inform the citizens,” the official told i24NEWS.
Tuesday’s New York Times report described Israeli concerns that Iran could deploy chemical substances through drones, missiles or covert operations.
The newspaper said Israeli officials viewed the potential development of these capabilities as a more pressing threat than Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons.
American intelligence officials reportedly disagree over the reliability of Israel’s assessments. Some believe the concerns are justified, pointing to recent warnings that Iran has been preparing possible attacks on US interests.
Others have questioned the Israeli claims, raising the possibility that they are intended to influence Washington’s decision on whether to renew military action against Tehran.
According to the Times, Israeli intelligence findings have also been communicated to Gulf governments. Some of those governments, however, remain unconvinced that Iran plans to deploy chemical weapons.
Tehran has denied maintaining a chemical weapons arsenal and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of promoting the allegations for political purposes.
Iran’s chemical weapons history dates to the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, when the country developed capabilities it later acknowledged possessing.
In 2003, Iranian authorities said the program had been dismantled.
Unclassified American intelligence assessments have nevertheless suggested that Iran “likely aims” to pursue further chemical weapons research and development, the Times reported.
Wednesday’s remarks to i24NEWS specifically addressed whether Iran currently possesses capabilities that endanger Israel. The official also indicated that Israeli authorities are continuing to assess the threat and would notify the public if circumstances required action.
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